Tramoya’s Blog

Healing Is Possible:
I remember sitting alone in my living room, staring at the ceiling, wondering How am I going to get through this? I was afraid—afraid of facing the pain, afraid of what healing would even look like, and afraid of not being able to move forward. I had so many questions. Would therapy even work for me? Could I really feel whole again?

That was before I started cognitive processing therapy (CPT). Looking back now, I realize that those questions were not signs of weakness—they were the beginning of my healing. Sexual Assault Awareness Month holds deep meaning for me, not just because of what I survived, but because of what I have overcome. One of the most important things I want people to know is that healing is possible. For me, hope came through cognitive processing therapy and my faith. They did not work separately; they worked hand in hand to help me find light in a very dark place.

How Trauma Affects the Brain—Simply Put
Trauma changes the way our brains process thoughts and memories. It is like the brain gets stuck in “danger mode,” constantly replaying what happened, trying to make sense of it, but never finding peace. This can lead to a multitude of negative thoughts about ourselves, such as “It was my fault,” “I’m broken,” or “I can never feel safe again.”

Cognitive processing therapy is a treatment specifically designed to help people who have experienced trauma. It enables you to look at those thoughts and beliefs and gently challenge them. Are they 100% true? Are they helpful? Are there more balanced and truthful ways to look at the situation?

When Faith and Therapy Came Together:
During my therapy journey, I began to uncover the messages I had buried deep inside—messages that were painful, untrue, and weighing down my spirit. Things like “I should have done more,” or “I’m not worth protecting.”

But through therapy, I learned how to replace those thoughts with more balanced ones. For me, that process became even more powerful when I paired those new thoughts with Scripture. When I questioned my worth, I reminded myself, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). When I felt alone, I leaned into the truth that “God is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). Over time, the combination of therapy and faith did not just change my thoughts—it began to change how I saw myself, how I coped, and how I lived.

What Changed: The Impact of Therapy and Faith
Before starting cognitive processing therapy, the messages I told myself due to my PTSD were so crippling that I could not function healthily. The abuse I had faced growing up would often lead me to feeling unworthy and unlovable and would send me into spirals of negative thought patterns. I also remember being unable to sit in silence because I was always overwhelmed by painful memories and fear. Even minor conflicts felt like life or death, and I often felt completely alone in my pain.

Now, I challenge those thoughts with Scripture and truth, that in Christ, I am worthy of love and good things, and I am loved more than I can fathom. Because of CPT, I now healthily process my thoughts instead of spiraling. I can now bring painful thoughts to the surface, and no matter where they lead, I come to the same conclusion that I am forgiven, redeemed, and healed in Jesus’ name. I also can now find peace in silence. I can sit with hard and beautiful memories and still be okay. Conflict no longer consumes me, instead I respond to every situation with clarity, balance, and self-compassion. This transformation was not instant, but it happened because I leaned on my faith to carry me through the healing process.

In conclusion, I want to be mindful that not everyone shares the same faith I do. And that is okay. Whether your source of strength is spiritual, personal, or communal, the truth remains: you deserve healing. For me, God was never separate from my treatment—He was in every step, every breakthrough, every tear shed, and every truth reclaimed. CPT gave me the tools. My faith gave me the courage to use them.

To Anyone Who’s Reading This—You’ve Already Taken the First Step
If you are reading this blog post, it means you have already taken one of the most important steps: you are seeking. That alone is incredibly brave.

Healing is not always linear. It does not come overnight. But it does come if you are willing to persevere to make it out on the other side.

There is hope. There is healing. And you are not alone.

KCSARC’s 24-hour Resource Line is available 24/7 with trained advocates ready to listen and provide free, confidential support and information to help you determine next steps. Whenever you’re ready, call 1.888.998.6423.

Every survivor’s healing journey and recovery is unique and personal. The thoughts and experiences shared by our Empowered Voices members are personal to the author and may not reflect the experiences or journey of every survivor. The views expressed are not intended to represent KCSARC’s organizational views.